Nebraska GOP Senate Candidate Deb Fischer Puts Out Bold Plan For Ethics Reform

Deb Fischer shocked political observers recently when she came from behind and won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Nebraska. Although an endorsement from GOP icon Sarah Palin probably helped, it's worth noting that Fischer has also been campaigning on a strong proposal to reform the ethics and lobbying laws in Congress.

Here's a few of the provisions that she has listed:

A lifetime ban on Members of Congress from becoming federally registered lobbyists after they leave office.

Congress should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  Nebraska and other states are subject to FOIA and Washington should be held to the same standard.

Prohibit Members of Congress and federal employees from trading stocks based on information obtained on the job that is not publicly available.

She is also pushing for term limits, a ban on earmarks to private companies, and other reform proposals. I asked the campaign of her Democratic opponent, Bob Kerrey, for his reform proposals on June 12th. The campaign did not deliver any proposals at the time of this publishing. Fischer is offering bold proposals that would go a long way in reducing corruption in Congress. One would hope that Kerrey can at least match these.

 

Follow Zaid Jilani on Twitter: www.twitter.com/zaidjilani

Comments

[x raraavis]

09:52 AM on 08/01/2012

This story was buried. 1 comment in nearly a month. This reforms would change Washington therefor they stand no chance. Good luck Deb.

[nothingchanges]

11:21 AM on 07/11/2012

You want "Ethics in Government"?

Here's an idea.

Publicly financed elections, and the total prohibition of ALL "special interest" money in politics.

NO ADs, No PAC's, no contributions.

Get the money OUT of American politics, make legislators EARN their re-elections, based on their records.

Won't happen in MY lifetime..................................................bet you $10,000